Margaret Cho Show on VH1 unleashed Thursday night

By April MacIntyre Aug 22, 2008, 1:25 GMT

Margaret Cho - funny lady ...WATCH HER SHOW...Home Media Expo 2007 - Venetian Hotel and Casino - Las Vegas, NV © Terry Thompson / PR Photos

The divine Margaret Cho stars in The Cho Show on VH1 on August 21st.

Margaret Cho is the dutiful and rebellious daughter of two droll and hilarious parents who marvel at their prodigy who has weathered a lot of crap in Hollywood; tonight (Thursday August 21) sees the long-awaited Cho Show come to VH1.

Similar in spirit to Kathy Griffin's “My Life on The D-List”, The Cho Show presents Margaret Cho and her inner circle, beginning with her traditional parents.

When asked why they lived with her, Cho quipped, "it was this or a home."  Older people, according to Cho, "are a good source of prescription meds too."

She got serious for a moment. "You never see real Asian-American families on television, and my family is real; we are a bonded unit." Margaret's dad was sitting next to her at the recent Summer TCA's on stage, and he noted to her directly, "it is our duty to help you."

Cho elaborated on her personal story. "In 1964, my parents came here with just $25, they had their dreams and took this journey and they worked hard to give me this opportunity, and here I am wasting it."

Cho's entourage includes her dear friend and assistant Selena Luna and handsome top-tier makeup artist John Stapleton who makes up part of her “Glam Squad.”

“It’s a comedy show, that is pretty scripted in its own way. It’s a new format for television shows,” explains Cho. “It’s a sitcom with real people. It’s me in my daily life and the exciting things that I get to do."

Cho adds, "Koreans like to work together, whether its in liquor stores or reality shows."

Margaret Cho starred in the first Asian-American sitcom, "The All-American Girl" which lasted only one season, but the experience left her with a lot to ponder and use in future material on stage.  Namely the pressure and callous remarks from executives behind-the-scenes about her weight.

Cho has never looked better, and has the last laugh in this new series that takes us all on an adventure in her self-described "Truth or Dare meets Joy Luck CLub and Little Persons Big World" pastiche of a show.

Fun times.